In California, a property boundary is defined by a creek. During a severe storm, the creek suddenly changes course, cutting off a large piece of land from one property and depositing it on the adjacent property. Under California law, this sudden change is called:
Correct Answer
B) Avulsion
Avulsion is the sudden and perceptible change in a watercourse or the sudden addition or removal of land by the violent action of water (such as a flood or storm). Unlike accretion (which is gradual), avulsion does not change the property boundary — the boundary remains at the original location of the watercourse.
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Related Topics & Key Terms
Key Terms:
Related Concepts
Zoning is the government's division of land into districts with specific permitted uses such as residential, commercial, industrial, or agricultural. It is the most common exercise of police power over private property.
Building codes are government regulations that set minimum standards for construction, materials, design, and safety in buildings. They protect public health and safety by ensuring structures are built to acceptable standards.
A certificate of occupancy (CO) is an official document issued by the local building department certifying that a building complies with building codes and is safe for occupancy. It is required before a building can be legally occupied.
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